Plant profile: Escallonia
Over the years I have seen more and more problems with box hedges, which either get completely riddled with scale and mealybug or die after severe summers. It’s time for gardeners to look at other alternatives that are better adapted to our climate and are more pest-resistant.
Escallonias are very hardy and have small, glossy deep green leaves and lovely flowers in different shades of pink and red.
Escallonias will grow well in most soil types that are well-draining, and will flower for months.
They respond fantastically to being pruned after flowering and only require slow-release fertiliser twice a year. Always improve the soil at planting time.
They are pretty versatile and will grow in full sun or part shade.
There are a few new varieties that are about to hit your local nurseries.
-Escallonia Hedge with an Edge is the new dwarf show stopper that offers structural and ornamental value to the garden. The leaves are slightly bigger in size, deep green and glossy and look great as a border. In addition Hedge with an Edge has masses of dainty, hot pink bell-like flowers throughout the summer.
-Escallonia Red Elf has deep crimson flowers on a 2m x 2m compact bush.
-Escallonia Peach Blossom can also be trimmed into a border or topiary shapes to provide focal points in the garden or at the entrance or exit of doorways and paths. It has delicate peach-coloured flowers.
-Escallonia Red Knight has the biggest flowers in a shade of deep red borne over a long period on a 2m x 2m shrub.
